Retail Giant's Personal Shopping App Uses Barcode Scanner

UK retail giant, Debenhams, has launched a new mobile shopping app that allow users to shop remotely or enhance their in-store experience.

The innovative 'Barcode Scanner,' the first by a high street retailer, uses the smartphone's camera to scan product barcodes to check pricing and reviews. Buying via the app avoids waiting in line and allows products to be saved to purchase at a later date.

Simon Forster, Online Trading Director for Debenhams said: "This is the app that every shopper has yearned for. Acting as a pocket personal shopper, downloading the Debenhams app means that getting lost, not being able to find your size and having to carry heavy bags home are pitfalls of shopping trips past.”

Customers no longer have to scroll endlessly through reams of products online. The app's personalised 'My Debenhams' tab narrows down the selection of items displayed by type, brand, colour, price and size.

The 'Wish List' and 'Gift List' features have been designed to help shoppers cope with their shopping, particularly in the run-up to Christmas. Savvy users can email friends and family with their very own wish list of gifts created by scanning product barcodes in-store or selecting via the app.

They can also organize their own shopping by using the gift list tab to allocate products to friends and family in their address book.

The app will also feature a 'Christmas' section, identifying gifts for women and men in an attempt to make it simpler to buy for the hard-to-buy-for.

Forster added: "Come Christmas, the Debenhams app will transform the on-the-go shopping experience, enabling customers to manage their purchases wherever and whenever they want at the busiest time of the year."

'Store Finder' is the shopping sat-nav, using GPS technology to help customers navigate the high street, locating their nearest Debenhams store as well as linking to Google maps to provide directions. Store contact details, opening hours, facilities and a floor guide are also available.

The fully transactional Debenhams app can be downloaded for free for the iPhone and iPod Touch from the App Store now. It was developed in conjunction with No Need for Mirrors.